San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-09-22

! But | certainly never saw any one so
awkward under a love-attack before: no
is evidently not used TO it, like most of
our friends. Ilarkl is not that Cyrirs
voice2 We shall certainly miss them if
you are not quick"
Before, however, they could leave the
room the door was flung hastily open to
admit three men-at least, men in en-
bryO-fOr the first To enter was a youth
of sixteen, and so striking likeness
existed between him and Ethel CARING
ford that it required no introduction as
to their relationship.
AT his heels came two very good speci-
mems of our young English manhood.
The one affectiOnately greeted by Bell
as dear Mr.. Derring" was the happy
possessor of a pair of bright, honest,
laughing blue eyes, a good straight nose,
and mouth too full of fun to denote
much strength of character, OverdrOop-
ed by "A golden mOustache, of which the
owner was vastly proud.
His companion was a tall, well-knit,
somewhat MISUNDERSTANDING youth
about twenty, but he has little or moth
ing to do with our story.
"Well, you two girls have been a Jolly
long time getting ready" exclaimed
Cyril, turning to his sister. I'VE have
been expecting you down for ever so
long, I'm sure it is quite an hour since
Nane said he would go and see if YOU
were dressed. by the way, where is
Nane? | thought he was up here spoon
inr dill NOT lilo tA inf
you know"
DO not be so flippant," said Bell, in
grave, mOtherly tone Of voice. "He
has left here simply because he lost a
bet with your sister, and needs must
rush at once up to town to get her
decent pair of gloves in time for church
tomorrow. You would not have been
so polite had you lost bet with me,
would you, Mr. Derring?" she laughed,
turning to the young gentleman at her
side.
NO, that would not" he replied,
candidly and softly, his merry face
growing actually earnest as he spoke.
Il certainly would not waste the time
in fetching gloves, while l might send
for them, and remain with you"
Notwithstanding the CLEAN of happi-
ness that filtered across her face, Miss
Bell, with her usual pretence of want
of feeling, replied cOntemptuously,
Keep your pretty speeches for Others,
they are wasted here. But | will wait
no longer. Ethel, you must take Mr..
Bellows arm flor an arm we shall as
suredly want down that frightfully slip
perry path to the lake,, and / will be
kind enough to accept Mr.. behring's
support. Now, one, two, three! quick
march,"
Just as they had descended the grand
old oaken staircase, Cyril, who had left
them some few minutes before, came
up to them, saying, "By George, Cisl
what girl you are to have sent Vane
away just when we want him to help
decorate, as if you had not another pair
of gloves to put on! There's the poor
dear old gov. swearing like a trooper
because he and his men are all too heavy
thanks to our October home brewing)
to mount the steps, and am too short
to be of much good. Now, Vane's legs
would have been just the thing"
"Never mind, dear Cyril. | daresay
papa will get someone to do it; good
bye, for we must really go, or it will be
dark before we set out. Are you COM
ing?"
where are you going to my pretty
maidsf"
"Why, to skate, of course" inpatient
ly replied Bella.
"Not for me, then; am much too
busy. Goodbye"
And he left them, to return to help in
decorating the hall with the traditional
holly and mistletOe.
Lieutenant Derring and Miss Fortes-
cue walked on in front, making the
clear, bright air echo with their merry
voices. In the rear came Ethel and her
attendant swain, certainly more sedate
than those ahead of them; and Bob be-
ing naturally of thoughtful, quiet dis
position, was nothing tempted to break
the unusual silence that had fallen on
his hosts vivaciOus daughter.
wait one moment, Mr.. Derring,
please. | am sure hear horse trot-
ting along the road" said Bella, hating
in her walk. "DO you, Ethel?" she in
quired eagerly of her friend who came
up hurriedly to her side. "Harkl it is
approaching, am sure. wish IcOuld
see who it is" and she ran lightly up
steep mOsS-grOwn bank, in order to
crafty her curiosity. Ethel, come here
quickly. See, it is Captain Vane's man
who is riding towards u.s."
BY this time they were all standing
on the rising ground, anxiOusly await
ing the advent of "Vane's man." who,
when he perceived them, pulled up his
painting horse, and, dismOunting, gave
a letter into Ethel's hand, saying, "if
you please, miss, master would like an
answer as soon as possible"
With trembling fingers she tore open
the envelope, while the two men fell
back in order to allow the girls to read
the contents together, which ran as fol-
lows
"The Barracks, Carlingford,
Christmas Eve.
"DEAR Miss CARLINGFORD,
'In few hours all England will ring
out the wish of peace on earth and
goodwill toward men, Is there to be
peace and goodwill between us? If you
will write the one little word yes l
will freely forgive you the want of feel
ing you expressed towards me this
morning, and strive to forget it. If you
cannot consider we are friends, Just
write the size of your gloves, and will
proceed at once to town in order to can
Gel my debt.